KENTSTAYCATION
SEVENOAKS SPLENDOUR
A VIBRANT TOWN SURROUNDED BY ROLLING GREEN COUNTRYSIDE AND VALLEYS COVERED WITH VINEYARDS , SEVENOAKS OFFERS A SUBLIMELY KENTISH ESCAPE .
KNOLE PARK
IGHTHAM MOTE
With its easy rail and road access to the capital city and a leafy atmosphere , Sevenoaks has come to epitomise the essence of the commuter belt in many people ’ s eyes . This perception is not far from the truth , but far enough away to reveal a wonderful community that cherishes a town with a strong sense of its own history , heritage and identity . However , the leafiness of Sevenoaks is far from a synthetic ‘ garden city ’ persona , this instead a testament to its wooded countryside that formed the backdrop to a settlement here some nine centuries ago .
It is believed that the area of Sevenoaks was inhabited in ancient times , the first recorded mention being in 1114 AD when a record of local churches listed it as ‘ Seovenaca ’. Local tradition has it that the name refers to a clump of seven oaks that once stood here . Long gone and since replaced by seven trees taken from Knole Park , ceremoniously planted on the common in 1955 , these replacement trees took a terrible hit in the Great Storm of 1987 , which left only one of these seven oaks standing . The storm also devastated the trees of Knole ’ s parkland too , but after extensive replanting , Knole Park is again glorious and today , visitors can visit and take a look inside the magnificent Knole House .
Set amidst extensive parkland , it is one of the largest houses in England , with 365 rooms inside its foursquare structure . The present house stands on the site of a much smaller manor house which was bought by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1456 , taken over by Henry VIII in 1532 , then given by Elizabeth I to the Sackvilles , who still live in this National Trust property today . Knole House also offers visitors the chance to wander past outstanding collections of tapestries , antique furniture and an extensive art collection , which includes masterpieces by Gainsbrough and Reynolds . On fairer days , visitors can take advantage of the majestic deer park covering some 1,000 acres of rolling countryside with dense beech woodlands and magical hidden dells .
Sevenoaks ’ countryside is full of extraordinary historic houses such as this and visitors to the area are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which to visit . Ightham Mote is yet another National Trust treasure ; a romantic moated manor house with 700 years of history , architecture and stories under one roof , as well as a beautiful garden and parkland to explore . This summer , Ightham Mote will be a great place for families to visit , as they invite you to the special ‘ Summer of Tudors ’. Until 3 September , visitors can step back in time and into an authentic and fun-filled Tudor Summer , with five weeks of exciting Tudor displays , trails , performances and activities . The Tudor Summer also includes ‘ Craft Tuesdays ’ at which guests can design dragons , crowns and even a ‘ battleship ’ in the form of a raft , and a Tudor Festival on 29 and 30 July . This festival is a weekend of interactive historical displays with interactive talks and demonstrations .
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